Just my opinion, regionally;
I wouldn't look for major caliber pistols in the old South. After the war, many veterans went west, taking their personal weapons with them. The South was poor, and large game and two-legged enemies were scarce. That's shotgun territory.
'Pretty much the same in the North. They were farmers with no need of or cash for pistols.
The major cities, Frisco, Chicago, N.Y. were where handguns were found. They had money, unruley immigrants and, as today, crime. Thats where S&W's, Bulldogs, and myriad small caliber revolvers dominated.
Yes, the West was where men need a powerful, reliable handgun.